— cringer , n. — cringingly , adv. — cringingness , n.
/krinj/ , v. , cringed, cringing , n.
v.i.
1. to shrink, bend, or crouch, esp. in fear or servility; cower.
2. to fawn.
n.
3. servile or fawning deference.
[ 1175-1225; ME crengen, crenchen (transit.); OE * crencean, crencgean, causative of cringan, crincan to yield, fall (in battle) ]